The injection of tumor-associated antigens (e.g., from melanomas or other solid tumors) into cancer patients in an attempt to raise a long-lasting and effective immune response against the tumor. The tumor antigen is often presented to the vaccinee in the presence of dendritic cells, in order to improve the presentation of the antigen and heighten the immune response.

SYN: antitumor vaccine; ; tumor vaccine

Main entry:
vaccination